The Ringing of Bells for Change
As we get into the new COVID rules – how are you? How are your families, friends, colleagues, or businesses coping with these changes? If you clicked on the link you might have heard the lovely sound of bells. It is the 17th of May 2021 - and the bells are a celebration of the reduced COVID rules. It is a sign that things have changed in a positive direction.
‘Change’ is an occasion or moment that can make us over-think or not notice the realities in our situation. It can be hard to find the right life balance – socially, physically, financially, spiritually or mentally. It’s a bit like the changing of the clock between British Summer Time and British Winter time – when it happens we can feel ‘off balance’ and need some time to get used to the new daily calendar, especially with animals you may be looking after!
It is a natural reaction for us to not like ‘change’. We don’t like feeling ‘off balance’. We might focus on what the possible negative impacts could be, which might take over what the possible positive impacts could also be, no matter how likely.
When we are given the option to change, it is normal to respond: ‘No, thank you. I am happy as I am. I am stable. I am comfortable where I am. No. Thank. You!’ These could be a reaction to the idea of going to a face to face service at your local church, or shopping on the High Street or eating inside in the local pub. This is a normal reaction – hence the ‘flight or flight’ phrase.
I just suggest that you give yourself some space and time to adapt, after all, we have evolved as Homo Sapiens for the past 200,000 years.
My first paid job was working in a local pub - The Vine in 1995. The change for me was my role and relationship with people, especially those who I had socialised with in the pub and who were now my customers. Sadly, I was not old enough to manage the bar so I had to waiter the tables. I remember trying to work out how to balance the orders: not dumping them all on the chef at the same time which would annoy him but also not taking too long which would annoy the customers. At the start I was not perfect at juggling this role. There were a few times when I was asked by customers about their order update for the 3rd time that day, but I was able to manage their stress, and mine! There just were or two occasions when I realised that their order was still in my top pocket……! Eventually, I got better at my role so these issues calmed down and I enjoyed being front of house talking to customers of pub.
One way to manage change is to give yourself the time to review both the positive and negative sides. This means asking yourself what the outcomes could be. As a suggestion: why don’t you write 2 lists of the potential outcomes in the following order (from God’s Plan for Your Wellbeing)
positive outcomes
negative outcomes
Review it a few times. You might be surprised with what you find. The key point is to be aware that our minds might focus on the negative outcomes only but by writing it out, it is a way to rationalise our decision.
Have a go to give yourself space and time to review your changes, as I say you might be surprised, in a good way.
When writing this blog blog this sound came through my windows. There was no better way to demonstrate how change can be positive for Mental Health. Enjoy.